- West Ham United are on the brink of relegation
- The Hammers are expected to need £100 million if relegated
- Max Kilman has five years left on his contract
After a terrible run of results, West Ham United are facing the very real likelihood of playing in the Championship next season, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side 18th and facing the opportunity of their Premier League status being sealed on Tuesday night if Tottenham Hotspur avoid defeat against Chelsea.
In recent weeks, the atmosphere surrounding West Ham has worsened as concerns about the long-term prospects of several key players and demonstrations against the ownership have taken centre stage. Teams are already circling some of West Ham’s most important assets, with Jarrod Bowen, Matheus Fernandes, and Crysencio Summerville all headlining a potential exodus.
Behind the scenes, the club are expected to suffer significant financial losses from relegation. According to reports, the Hammers may need to sell players for more than £100 million this summer to alleviate mounting financial strain and prevent future problems after the club’s most recent records showed losses of £104.2 million.
So, who are the three players West Ham must sell if the prospect of relegation is confirmed?
Alphonse Areola
Starting off with a pretty obvious selection. Alphonse Areola is West Ham’s second-highest earner, according to Capology, behind club captain Jarrod Bowen. The Frenchman has a contract in East London until 2027; however, even in the event of relegation, his mega salary will simply have to be cut from the books.
Areola, 33, will always be remembered as a cult hero for his contributions to the 2023 UEFA Conference League-winning side, but with a neglected international career – having not played for France since the 2022-23 season – and being superseded by Mads Hermansen as the Hammers No.1, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid man is a sure-fire departure.
Max Kilman
Like Areola, Max Kilman’s contract at West Ham is a detrimental deal that the club must get off. Unlike Areola, the defender’s departure will not be deeply missed. Kilman was signed for £40 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2024, and has been under fire for much of his time in East London.
The Englishman’s ball-playing and physical profile, standing at 6ft 4 in (194 cm), were attractive asset worth investing in, but neither aspect has been shown to be profitable in a claret and blue shirt, with Kilman often being jeered by the London Stadium when on the ball in anticipation of a mistake.
Kilman is currently valued at €16 million (£13.8 million) by Transfermarkt with five years left on his deal. Any sale involving the 28-year-old would likely be negotiated at a lower fee, despite his experience with over 217 top-flight games, but given his scapegoat status at the club, it would be sensible to sever ties regardless.
Crysencio Summerville
As stated, the decision to keep Summerville will likely be out of Hammers’ hands given their impending relegation. However, if the Dutchman’s departure is less amicable, the club should still push for the winger’s exit.
Summerville has stood out as a bright spark in the club’s run-in this season. After a lacklustre debut camping following his arrival last season from Leeds United, the 24-year-old’s individual skillset has been much more pronounced this year – contributing to six goals in 30 matches.
Yet, as the numbers show, Summerville has hardly showcased an undeniable production. In fact, apart from the 2023-24 Championship season with Leeds, where he scored 21 goals and laid on 9 assists, the mercurial winger has never hit double figures in league play, unlike Bowen, a consistent source of goals and assists.
Of course, Summerville has shown the promise that would be worth keeping in the Championship as the club’s fight for immediate bounce-back, but given how burgeoning his stock is amongst other European clubs, West Ham would be smart to cash in and hedge their bets on replacing their No.7 in personnel and production.
